Young women dressed in traditional attire take part in the "Mikoshi Arai" purification ritual ahead of the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

A festival float passes by maikos and geikos watching one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

Festivalgoers are seen atop a festival float during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

People carry the "Niwatori Hoko" float during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

The top of a festival float is seen during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

Musicians are seen atop a festival float during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

A geiko, a regional word for geisha, and a maiko watch festivalgoers pass by during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)

A festival float passes through a narrow street during one of the main parades of Shinto's Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, western Japan, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fred Mery)